Gov. Beshear has been at the forefront of pushing initiatives aimed at reducing tobacco consumption and improving the health of a state plagued by some of the nation's worst disease rates. The approximately $118 million investment by U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Co. will create 42 more jobs at its Hopkinsville plant, which now employs 90 full-time workers. _____

For the fourth time and the third year in a row Brooke Saurer has advanced to the state spelling bee. Saurer, an eighth grader at Whitesburg Middle School, won the Letcher County District Spelling Bee Friday by correctly spelling the word “fastidious.” Last March, Saurer received a trophy, a $1,500 savings bond and a $25 Amazon gift card for placing fourth in the Kentucky Saurer won’t have as much free time as she would like to study spelling words. As a member of the Letcher County Central High School band, she will be playing clarinet during district and regional basketball tournaments._____

A frantic night for state troopers in Pike County. Two men are in the hospital following a stabbing and officer involved shooting. It all happened late Wednesday night in the Island Creek community. Kentucky State Police say the alleged suspect in the stabbing also threatened police with a gun...leading troopers to shoot James "Jim" Sallette._____

No one was injured when a Leslie County kindergarten student brought a gun to school earlier this month. The boy brought the gun to Mountain View Elementary in Hyden Feb. 12. A teacher's aide confiscated the gun which was not loaded immediately after the student pulled it out. Investigators believe the boy brought the .38 Smith & Wesson revolver to show his friends and had no intentions of hurting anyone._____

A Kentucky House panel has passed a measure saying minors shouldn't be allowed to use tanning beds. The bill would make exceptions for minors who have been prescribed the use of tanning beds by physicians. rising cases of skin cancer among young women, and recent regulations on tanning beds were the reasons for the bill.